Net Zero progress
by increasingly putting care into the hands of patients through technology. This digital transformation will need to meet the needs of patients and users efficiently and sustainably, while ensuring IT systems are resilient to climate change risks. Emissions associated with digital services contribute to categories throughout the NHS Carbon Footprint and NHS Carbon Footprint Plus including hardware, software and MedTech – all of which contribute to emissions associated with energy usage.
Progress l The creation of more than 12,000 virtual ward ‘beds’ is allowing patients to get the care they need at home safely and conveniently. The NHS is increasingly introducing virtual wards to support people at the place they call home, including care homes. This is expected to deliver savings of up to 100 ktCO2
l The NHS App outpatient booking service allows patients to book outpatient appointments quickly and easily. This service could save 29 ktCO2e, 63 million sheets of A4 paper and 152 million minutes of staff time each year.
l Measures to reduce the energy consumption of idle computers have been piloted across the country, in one case saving 590 tCO2e and £440,000 annually.
Next steps l The NHS will ensure that implementation of the 10 Year Health Plan’s digital aspirations are as environmentally sustainable, resilient and responsible as possible, supported by the launch of Greener by Design requirements for health system digitisation as part of the One Architecture approach in 2026/27, with the ambition to reach system wide implementation by 2029/30.
l The NHS will implement the Government’s sustainable AI principles to ensure NHS AI deployment meets government requirements for sustainability and environmental impact.
l In line with 2028 supplier roadmap ambitions, we will the NHS will support the continued disclosure and reduction of emissions related to NHS IT software, hosting and hardware related emissions.
Adaptation Even as the NHS decarbonises, the impacts of climate change will continue to increase, threatening the delivery of essential NHS services and population health. As set out in the NHS and UKHSA’sFourth Health and Climate Adaptation Report, more frequent floods, heatwaves and worsening air pollution are already impacting the population.
l The NHS collaborating with its partners, including UKHSA, to raise awareness of climate impacts and responses among NHS staff.
While considerable progress has been made in strengthening healthcare resilience to the growing impacts of climate change, challenges in addressing vulnerabilities, improving infrastructure, and empowering the health workforce to lead and deliver adaptation efforts remain. Adaptation must be integrated as part of mitigation plans to maintain healthcare delivery, protect infrastructure and safeguard patients and staff during extreme weather events. By acting now, the NHS can protect the most vulnerable, strengthen resilience and ensure the health system continues to deliver for patients.
Without appropriate safeguards these
hazards will affect staff, damage infrastructure and disrupt critical services such as water, energy and transport. Ensuring the healthcare system is resilient to the impacts of extreme weather is essential to maintain healthcare delivery and protect NHS sites and services.
Progress l The Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) sets out the key NHS actions for 2023 to 2028, including updated standards for facilities’ resilience planning.
l The Fourth Health and Climate Adaptation Report sets out the NHS’s climate resilience priorities to protect service continuity, supported by tools such as the NHS Climate Change Risk Assessment tool, which enables Trusts and system leaders to identify risks to local sites and services, assess potential impacts and plan effective responses.
l The Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response core standards mandate robust business continuity plans across all NHS Trusts for incidents such as flooding, extreme heat and severe cold.
Next steps The NHS will build on its strong emergency preparedness by coupling acute response with longer-term strategic adaptation, recognising that evolving climate risks require proactive, system-wide action to protect health, infrastructure and services. Next steps include: l In line withGreen Plan guidance, rolling out the Climate Change Risk Assessment tool across all Trusts and systems.
l Conducting an emergency response exercise on adverse weather and health in every NHS region by 2030.
42
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I December 2025 Conclusion
During the last five years, the NHS has not only seen emissions in the Carbon Footprint fall, but it has witnessed a profound energy, passion and pride from those NHS staff wanting to make a difference to this commitment. Part of the progress has been in knowing
where, as well as how, to take action. The report states that the ability to do this has been driven by a better understanding of where NHS emissions occur. The Delivering a Net Zero NHS Strategy is still considered to be the right approach to decarbonisation of the NHS. In conclusion, the report asserts that the foundations have been set to deliver the first interim ambition for 2032. It concludes with a positive view of the long-term future, stating that with continued support and guidance, NHS staff can be encouraged to meet the ambitions to 2040 and 2045.
SCAN ME
CSJ
To view the full report, scan the QR code or visit: https://www.england.
nhs.uk/long-read/five-years-greener- nhs-progress-forward-look/
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